Recommendation lights for car glovebox battery leak approve

[zillah]

Dear Experts
I am new to the forum
I have got 4 cars for family I am looking to get 4 lights CR123a  (leak resistance) for car glovebox,,,,,may be a Lithium battery if it serves the same purpose (leak approve)
To be used at night when surrounding light is not adequate,,,,,not for emergency 
What would you recommend ?
Thx

[nate j]

Welcome aboard!

I’m sure we can get you pointed in the right direction, but need a little more information…

When most folks talk about glovebox lights, they are looking for something that will be used infrequently but stored for a long time and expected to work when needed.  Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are arguably the best choice for this sort of application because they won’t leak and will stay good a long time in storage.

However, if you’re going to be using the lights somewhat frequently (and it sounds like you might be), then non-rechargeable lithium batteries may not be the best choice due to cost.

What tasks will you be doing with the lights?

What level(s) of light output do you want/need?  Are you doing mostly close work, or do you need to be able to light things up at a distance?

What runtime(s) do you need?  Are you only likely using the light a few minutes here and there, or do you need something that will run all night long?

How much are you looking/willing to spend?

[buggs]

I'd add where are you located, broadly speaking.  If I were in the southern US I'd probably have different recommendations from what I'd have from Canada, where every light will fail during winter, except crank lights. 

[zillah]

Thx nate and buggs
I am located in NewZealand
The light will be used when it is needed not everyday I would say  once in a month :
1-Search in the car if I misplaced something.
2-Sometime I need to look at some document when I need to do it urgently as internal light not enough for me ,,,,if not urgent I will leave it till I get home
Thx

[zillah]

>>What level(s) of light output do you want/need?  Are you doing mostly close work, or do you need to be able to light things up at a distance?<<
Close work and I would love to be strong and no need for distance

>>What runtime(s) do you need?  Are you only likely using the light a few minutes here and there, or do you need something that will run all night long?<<
Would be used not more than 30 min sometime only few minutes

>>How much are you looking/willing to spend?<<
Say up to $100

[nate j]

After thinking about this a bit, I believe you would be well served by a so called dual-fuel or multi-fuel light.  These lights have the versatility to allow you to experiment with multiple types of batteries to see what works best for you.  Or, perhaps even better, roll with a rechargeable Li-ion battery in the light and bring some non-rechargeable Lithium batteries for backup.  Something to be aware of is that performance (outputs & runtimes) does change with different power sources.

I would recommend looking at the following (in no particular order):

- Flashlights that can run on the user’s choice of 1x18650 or 2xCR123A batteries.  Example:  Fenix PD35R ACE.  Flashlights like this often feature a large number of output modes, allowing the user to dial up the right amount of light for nearly any situation:  low, eco, or moonlight modes offer impressive runtimes and an appropriate amount of light for reading or other close work, while high and turbo modes offer excellent brightness and throw if needed (though only for a relatively short period of time).  Disadvantages are that lights of this type tend to be large, heavy, and expensive relative to other options.

- Flashlights that can run on the user’s choice of 1x14500 or 1xAA battery.  Example:  Lumintop Tool AA 3.0.  Lights of this type tend be smaller, lighter, and less expensive than other options, while still offering adequate brightness and runtime for relatively close up, short- to medium-time use.  These lights can usually even run on the very common AA alkaline batteries, though I would avoid long term storage with those due to leakage concerns.  The main disadvantages are that output and runtime don’t hold a candle (pardon the flashlight puns) to some of the larger options.

- Flashlights that can run on the user’s choice of 1x16340 or 1xCR123A battery.  Example:  Fenix PD25R.  Flashlights of this type are something of a “middle of the road” option between the previous two.

[zillah]

Thank you much nate for informative details and appreciate your help

[nate j]

Thank you much nate for informative details and appreciate your help

I hope you’ll come back and update us on what you decide to get and how it’s working out for you.

[zillah]

I hope you’ll come back and update us on what you decide to get and how it’s working out for you.

Will do that no problem

[buggs]

After thinking about this a bit, I believe you would be well served by a so called dual-fuel or multi-fuel light.  These lights have the versatility to allow you to experiment with multiple types of batteries to see what works best for you.  Or, perhaps even better, roll with a rechargeable Li-ion battery in the light and bring some non-rechargeable Lithium batteries for backup.  Something to be aware of is that performance (outputs & runtimes) does change with different power sources.

I would recommend looking at the following (in no particular order):

- Flashlights that can run on the user’s choice of 1x18650 or 2xCR123A batteries.  Example:  Fenix PD35R ACE.  Flashlights like this often feature a large number of output modes, allowing the user to dial up the right amount of light for nearly any situation:  low, eco, or moonlight modes offer impressive runtimes and an appropriate amount of light for reading or other close work, while high and turbo modes offer excellent brightness and throw if needed (though only for a relatively short period of time).  Disadvantages are that lights of this type tend to be large, heavy, and expensive relative to other options.

- Flashlights that can run on the user’s choice of 1x14500 or 1xAA battery.  Example:  Lumintop Tool AA 3.0.  Lights of this type tend be smaller, lighter, and less expensive than other options, while still offering adequate brightness and runtime for relatively close up, short- to medium-time use.  These lights can usually even run on the very common AA alkaline batteries, though I would avoid long term storage with those due to leakage concerns.  The main disadvantages are that output and runtime don’t hold a candle (pardon the flashlight puns) to some of the larger options.

- Flashlights that can run on the user’s choice of 1x16340 or 1xCR123A battery.  Example:  Fenix PD25R.  Flashlights of this type are something of a “middle of the road” option between the previous two.

These are all great recommendations.  I confess I'm not as familiar with Fenix as others, I own only 1 that is on my keychain.  It replaced an Olight that was just fine and very similar. 

You'll find I have a thread talking about flashlight longevity.  I'm very enamored with Olights but I have had a number just die.  Upon reflection that's probably over a period nearing 15 years, but I have Maglights that are more than double that age that have never failed, whether AA, AAA, or 3xD.  The Maglights are all older, not LED bulbs so the light produced is far less. 

From an Olight perspective my favorites tend to be the I3 (single AAA battery) or I5 (single AA battery).  Both are available as rechargeable versions.  A designation of T after the I5/I3 indicates normal battery.  R after I5/I3 indicates rechargeable.  They're both great IMO and work very well. 

Lots of other different form factors from Olight as well - Arkfeld (I do not own), Baton and others.  They're very good.  Fenix and other brands may or may not be better, your mileage may vary. 

My earlier question pertaining to location was related to temperature.   Given it's New Zealand, your temperature profile is more favorable, though the elevation and season may entirely change that.  I don't believe there's a single flashlight that will properly operate at -30C, which I regularly experience and it's utterly pointless to expect one that's kept in your car to function at that temperature.  But many people are smarter than to live in that climate, hopefully that includes you.  I'm sure if your minimum is 10C everything will be rosy most of the time. 

[nate j]

I don't believe there's a single flashlight that will properly operate at -30C, which I regularly experience…

buggs, -30 C / -22 F is pretty cold.

I have not tested at those temperatures, as it does not routinely get that cold here.

But I think your best bet would be to keep the flashlight in an inside pocket (where your body heat would keep it warm) when not actually using it.

That said, some non-rechargeable lithium batteries are rated to operate down to -40 C:
https://energizer.com/batteries/energizer-ultimate-lithium-batteries/

Fenix claims their PD40R V3 “will operate normally” down to -35 C.  I have to wonder how the rechargeable Li-ion battery would really fare at that temperature.  I’d definitely let it warm back up to room temperature before attempting to charge it.

[zillah]

Thx buggs and nate

[ThundahBeagle]

If it is going to be used in the car, I recommend the strongest "head" light you can get.  You never know, you may need to look under the hood after some mechanical issue and you need both hands

[nate j]

If it is going to be used in the car, I recommend the strongest "head" light you can get.  You never know, you may need to look under the hood after some mechanical issue and you need both hands

Being able to go hands-free can be a valuable option.  Doesn’t have to be a headlamp though; other options include magnetic tails on some lights, and clips on others that allow them to be attached to the brim of a baseball cap.